In terms of quality, Mercedes is one of the leading brands on the market today. With a combination of reliable features and luxury, Mercedes tends to pump out some of the best cars on the market today. While Mercedes has a history of designing top-of-the-range SUVs, the Mercedes GLE53W4 takes it to a completely new level.
Recently, I had the opportunity of driving the Mercedes GLE53W4 and one of the first things you notice is the increase from 362 HP to the more powerful 429 HP engine. This is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six engine and aims to give you more power. There are also two significant body models that you can choose from.
Exterior
Mercedes has gone with two different body types that buyers can choose from. The first is the traditional SUV and the second is the sloped-back SUV coupe. While the latter is the more attractive of the two, you will find a slight increase in the price. However, the streamlined design is something that will certainly turn a few heads.
The automatic high-beam headlights are another striking new feature. Driving at night is much easier with these headlights. Additionally, the Cirrus Silver is a brand new color addition for those looking to buy the car. Overall, it can stand out among many of the other SUVs on the market today due to its quality.
Interior
It is expected that Mercedes should give you a stylish and functional interior to work with. For the Mercedes GLE53W4, the interior has a new sporty look and the AMG model will have some contrasting red stitching that blends well with the other colors. It should give you a feeling of luxury when driving the car.
The infotainment system features twin 12.3-inch displays that will take up the biggest part of the dashboard on the Mercedes GLE53W4. A mounted click wheel is located in the middle of the vehicle and should help you to navigate the touchscreen. Additional voice commands can also be used by simply saying “Hey Mercedes” and following this with a voice command.
Finally, the rear of the vehicle is much larger inside than it looks inside. You can fold back the rear seats for additional storage space, but it should give you space for about 15 suitcases in the trunk. Keep in mind that the coupe features a sloping design, which slightly reduces the storage space. A Wi-Fi hotspot is a standard feature with the Mercedes GLE53W4
Engine/Powertrain
Mercedes has always been known for performance with their powertrain. The Mercedes GLE53W4 features a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive comes standard with the vehicle. Having the addition of electrical power adds to the power output of the vehicle and it comes with a 48-volt battery that has been supercharged for delivering additional power.
Once you combine this with the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, you have a combined output of 429 HP and 384 lb-feet of torque. The 0-60 is around 4.9-seconds for the Mercedes GLE53W4. The addition of active anti-roll bars will improve cornering and give you a smooth ride without sacrificing performance.
With fuel prices soaring, you should keep this in mind. However, it might not be as important when it comes to the Mercedes GLE53W4 and overall price. The vehicle has a fuel consumption of 18 MPG in the city and around 23 MPG on the highway. It should give you about 22 MPG on average. We should mention that the average on the coupe we tested was around 26 MPG.
Special Options/ Package
As mentioned, you will have the option of the traditional SUV and the coupe. While the coupe might look more promising, the traditional SUV has the same features. It is best to save some of your money and stick to the traditional SUV. You can pair this with the AMG Night package which offers a black exterior trim.
Mercedes offers an optional heated steering wheel if you want to keep your hands warm and the acoustic comfort package will reduce the external noise. These are all optional extras and will add to the price. You are looking at around $75,200 for the traditional version with some of the AMG trims to enhance the design.
Safety
Safety is always a top priority when looking for a new vehicle and the Mercedes GLE53W4 offers drivers assistance features with a semi-autonomous driving mode. Adaptive cruise control includes stop-and-go technology while the forward-collision warning system has an automated brake that will give you emergency braking.
Like many modern vehicles, the inclusion of the lane-departure feature will help keep you in your lane and make sure that you are notified when swerving. While it has not won any significant awards yet, the Mercedes GLE53W4 is one of the safest vehicles you can try.
Verdict
While the Mercedes GLE53W4 is expensive, it is certainly one of the vehicles you might want to consider. It has similar warranty and maintenance coverage to comparable BMW and Audi vehicles and offers two distinct designs you can choose from. Choosing the right package could cost you around $75,200.
Overall, this is one of those vehicles that you either like or don’t. Some people might initially think it is too expensive, but taking a closer look turns critics into enthusiasts. Mercedes has amazing craftsmanship and seems to always one up the competition. The additional horsepower makes it more powerful and we would stand by recommending it for the overall value it brings to the table.
